The it's going to be a bumpy ride in that valley Edition

I have a confession to make. I'm not proud of it, but I feel I have to own it. I need some accountability.

I haven't been a good listener.

I've been praying and reading my Bible. God put something on my heart that I didn't want to listen to. So I kicked, screamed and looked the other way.

He was leading me to the book of James.

I know you are all probably thinking, "so what?" It's a proven fact that anytime our church does a study on James or our small group does a study on this book, life gets all flipped turned upside down (as the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air would say). As an adult, I've really tried to avoid James.

I don't know why it's like this, but the book of James scares the living tar out of me. It's written very directly and there is no gray area. It discusses things like gossip, being a living example of your faith and all this other daily struggle stuff. All things I struggle with. I don't like having my faults called out, nor do I like the bumpy parts of life.

I'm a bit like a Disney princess when it comes to life. I would prefer to sing, dance and have everything end in a nice, neat package.

James disrupts that. In a big way. In a way that I apparently need.

We have some things going on in our life that are less-than fun and cause more stress than I think I've ever known. Do you know what happens when you're going through all that and you're trying to avoid what God is telling you to do?

Well, my friends, it ain't pretty. I get emotional, cynical, depressed and mean. I know, all things you want as a blogger friend!

Last night I started reading James. Really reading it. Digging into it and trying to allow God to give me the guidance He wanted me to have.

You know what, I feel better this morning than I have in a couple weeks.

James 1:17 - Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like the shifting shadows.